How would you describe your local bank? Is it small, gray and drab? Are the opening hours short and inconvenient? Does it almost always seem to be low on staff?
drab … 単調でつまらない、活気のない、殺風景な
low on staff … 人手不足である
The banks of the future are looking to inject new life into their outlets -- transforming formally dull environments into efficient, modern, tech-savvy destinations.
inject new life into … ～に新たな息吹を吹き込む
outlet … 店舗
formally … 格式張って、堅苦しく
dull … 退屈な、単調な
tech-savvy … テクノロジーに精通した
Long lines and dated designs are being replaced with luxurious lounge areas, tailored service offerings and even robots. Banks, it seems, are about to become a whole lot cooler.
dated … 時代遅れの
a whole lot … 非常に、かなり、ずっと、大いに
Groundbreaking design
groundbreaking … 画期的な、革新的な
"The bank branch of the future must be designed around customer engagement," says Martin Shires, branch transformation manager at NCR, a consumer transaction technology company. "Banks need to make customers feel welcome from the moment they walk in the doors."
customer engagement … 顧客とのきずな、結びつき
As internet banking has taken hold, bank outlets are figuring new ways to pull customers through their doors. The demand for extra features, friendlier spaces and ultra-quick service means that branches are feeling the pressure to up their offerings.
take hold … 定着する、根付く、根を下ろす
Qatar's Barwa Bank shows the shape of things to come with its concept branch created by Italian designers Crea International, which has luxury and efficiency at its heart.
the shape of things to come … 未来を先取りしたもの、これから流行するもの
Decked with the latest touch-screen technology, lounge-like areas, leather seats and sleek interfaces, the design resembles a high-end hotel lobby or an ultra-cool members club. Luminescent walls are inlaid with arabesque motifs and bank staff sit next to clients at touch-screen tables.
decked with … ～で飾られている
inlaid with … ～がはめ込まれている
arabesque [æ̀rəbésk] … アラビア風の
Forward-thinking design and high-quality service are finally taking center stage. "Bank branch design of the past focused on security and preventing robberies," says Shires. "Now and in the future, branches need to ... fit into the rhythm of consumers' daily lives."
forward-thinking … 先進的な、進歩的な
Retail destination
But retail banks do not exist in isolation and have to jostle with other stores for customers' attention. Whilst competing with the rise of digital applications and online services, banks also need to keep track of the developments occurring in brick-and-mortar retailers.
jostle with (someone) for … （人）と～を争う
keep track of … ～の状況を把握する
brick-and-mortar … 従来型の、旧来型の
"Banks are not just competing with other banks anymore," says Shires, "they are competing against the experiences that consumers have when they walk into an Apple Store or when they buy a latte at the hip coffee shop that accepts mobile payments."
latte [lάːteɪ] … カフェラテ
hip … 今流行りの、かっこいい、いかした
Umpqua Bank, based in Oregon, has achieved success with its flagship branch in San Francisco, named international Store of the Year by the Retail Design Institute.
named … 指名された、指定された、選ばれた
Offering extras such as an invitation-only Business Lounge and a Demo Bar where businesses that use the bank can demonstrate their products to visitors, the Retail Design Institute praised the way it incorporated "a number of memorable signature elements to maintain a personal connection" -- including a retro-designed handset used to call the bank's CEO, and a bicycle for customers to use locally.
invitation-only … 招待者限定の
signature … 特徴的な、代表的な
Convenience is key
That personal connection will remain crucial to the banking experience. Although banks are embracing digital developments, technology doesn't yet look to displace face-to-face interaction: instead, it looks to enhance it.
crucial … きわめて重要な
embrace … 利用する、活用する
displace … 取って代わる
As ATMs and in-store systems increase their offerings, employees will be able to help customers in a more tailored and efficient way.
"Consumers will continue to need banking products and services," says Shires. "Technology is enabling banks to transform their branches to provide greater access and convenience to their customers."
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